Man City: PSG eye Riyad Mahrez as Angel di Maria replacement with Chelsea also circling

PSG have reportedly pinpointed Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez as the ideal replacement for Angel di Maria amid doubts over the latter’s future.

Di Maria, 34, has just under four months remaining on his current contract at the Parc des Princes, and with little progress being made over an extension he looks likely to depart on a free transfer in July.

The Argentina star, who has registered 91 goals and 115 assists in 288 games for PSG, will therefore need replacing in the summer transfer window.

PSG have pinpointed Man City’s Riyad Mahrez as the ideal replacement for Angel di Maria

And according to French outlet Foot Mercato, Mahrez is the man the Ligue 1 giants want to fill the expected void in their attack next season.

PSG are understood to be huge admirers of the Algeria international, who scored twice against them in the Champions League semi-final last term.

He has been an important member of Pep Guardiola’s side since completing a £60million switch to City in 2018, with his tally of 60 goals and 44 assists helping them clinch two Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FA Cup.

Nevertheless, at the end of June Mahrez will enter the final year of his contract at the Etihad, meaning speculation around his long-term future has already surfaced.

Di Maria is set to leave the Parc des Princes and become a free agent in the summer

And PSG regard Mahrez, whose own deal expires next year, as the best replacement for him

If they cannot tie him down to an extension, City will only have one more transfer window to offload the 31-year-old while they still can.

At the turn of the year, should his contract still expire in the summer of 2020, he would then be eligible to secure a free move abroad under the Bosman ruling.

PSG are believed to be eyeing a potential deal for Mahrez this summer, and given his contractual situation and age, a fee of around £30million could be enough to prise him away from Manchester.

But Chelsea are also believed to be interested in signing the Algeria international this summer

However, the Parisian club could face competition for his signature from Chelsea, who are also understood to be interested.

Thomas Tuchel is desperate to bolster his attack in the summer and Mahrez, with seven years of Premier League experience under his belt, would be a solid addition to his Blues frontline.

Yet following Roman Abramovich’s shock announcement last week that he is putting the club up for sale, Chelsea’s summer transfer plans are of low priority right now, which could put PSG in the driving seat.